Urinary Fluoride Excretion Monitoring: Assessment of Fluoride Ingestion in Pre-school Children from Fluoride Dentifrice

Objective: The purpose of the study was to compare the urinary fluoride excretion in test group of preschool children who using fluoride dentifrice comparing with those in control group who do not use F-dentifrice and to evaluate fluoride ingestion by preschool children from fluoride dentifrice. Methods: A ¢pea-size¢ (0.4-0.5 g) of fluoride dentifrice (1100 ppm F^- ) was given to the children for toothbrushing twice a day under supervised by the teachers in the two years kindergarten-based program. The time controlled (24-hour) urine samples were collected randomly from 40 children aged 3 years old in each group at the start of the program and 12, 24 months later. Results: The data showed that urinary fluoride excretion in 24 hours was 0.294 mg F^- in test group that is 27 % (P < 0.01) higher than 0.231 mg F^- in control group at the start. After 12 months, the test group had 0.325 mg F^- in 24 hours urine samples that is 17 % more than 0.277 mg F^- in control group (P < 0.05). 24 months later, 0.427 mg F^- and 0.403 mg F^- of urine excretion in test and control groups respectively that means no significant difference in urinary fluoride excretion between two groups. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the younger the preschool children are, the greater fluoride ingested by using fluoride dentifrice, and it should be supervised. The project was supported by the Procter & gamble Company.